The House Rules Committee advanced a resolution Monday condemning socialism on a party-line vote, with no Democrats supporting the measure as Republicans moved to put their political rivals on record ahead of November elections. The vote sets up a full House rule vote Tuesday afternoon and a final resolution vote Tuesday evening.
Republicans are also preparing for a Wednesday vote on a constitutional amendment that would cap Supreme Court justices at nine seats, part of an effort to counter Democratic proposals to expand the court. The dual-track approach reflects the GOP's strategy of forcing Democrats to take positions on progressive priorities that have sparked intraparty disputes.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans framed the resolution as a necessary stand for American values and economic freedom, arguing voters deserve clarity on where their representatives stand.
House GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., said Democrats should be forced to take clear positions rather than remaining in the middle. 'It's time for the Democrats to pick a side. Stop playing the middle. Be proud of who you are. You were elected to lead, so lead. Have an opinion. We intend to put you on record,' McClain told Fox News Digital.
McClain argued Republicans were defending democratic principles and free-market economics. 'Do you believe in socialism? If you do, you should say it loud and say it proud. I personally don't believe in socialism. I like the fact that we have a democracy, that we have a republic, that we have a free society. And I'm proud to put myself on record,' she said.
The effort targets internal Democratic divisions over the Democratic Socialists of America and progressive calls for government expansion into healthcare, housing and other sectors. Republicans argue they are drawing a contrast between their vision and what they characterize as socialist policies gaining traction in some corners of the Democratic Party.
Steil emphasized his position was about distinguishing between government action with legitimate national security justification versus ideological government control. 'I think there would need to be a national security rationale for the action,' he told Neguse, adding that he viewed the exchange as entering what he called 'silly season' given its hypothetical nature.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers dismissed the anti-socialism resolution as political theater designed to score points rather than address kitchen-table concerns facing voters.
Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., called the measure 'nonsense' and argued it did nothing to ease rising costs for working families. 'So you're concerned about rising gas, or are you concerned about grocery prices? You know, don't worry. Republicans in Congress are passing another non-binding resolution condemning socialism,' McGovern said during Monday's committee meeting.
Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., engaged in a heated exchange with Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis., pressing him on whether he would view a Trump administration equity stake in Kroger grocery stores as socialist. When Steil said he would want to see details and cited potential national security justifications, Neguse called his response 'a helpful answer.'
Steil shot back that some Democrats would support government-run grocery stores, adding: 'I think that's nuts.' The confrontation grew heated enough that Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., chided Neguse for interrupting Steil.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., declined to say whether he supported the resolution Monday, characterizing it as an attempt to elevate what he called 'the Suppress the Vote Act' and arguing Republicans were trying to rig midterm elections through voter suppression legislation.
What the Numbers Show
The Rules Committee vote on Monday advanced the anti-socialism resolution with no Democratic support. The committee's composition is determined by House leadership from both parties, typically reflecting majority control.
According to a provisional schedule obtained by Fox News Digital, the rule vote on the resolution is set for Tuesday afternoon in the House, followed by the final vote on the resolution itself Tuesday evening. The Wednesday Supreme Court amendment vote would require two-thirds support to pass under fast-track procedures the GOP used to bypass the committee.
The anti-socialism measure represents one of several messaging votes Republicans have planned this cycle, seeking to force Democrats to distance themselves from progressive positions or face electoral consequences in competitive districts.
The Bottom Line
The resolution and accompanying Supreme Court amendment represent Republican efforts to define the midterm election as a choice between competing visions for government's role in American life. By forcing votes on these measures before November, Republicans aim to create campaign trail ammunition against vulnerable Democrats.
Democrats counter that Republicans are offering political messaging rather than solutions to inflation, healthcare costs or other issues polling shows voters prioritize. The strategy reflects an established congressional practice of using procedural vehicles to put opponents on record, though the intensity of Monday's exchange suggested genuine ideological friction beneath the political calculation.
The outcome of Tuesday's votes will test whether Democrats can maintain unified opposition or if any break ranks on measures Republicans have framed as fundamental questions about American governance.